The federal government reminds that Canadian travelers must use the ArriveCAN app to return home after reports of vaccinated citizens forced into quarantine due to confusion at the Canada-U.S. land border.
“I would also like to remind all travelers, Canadians and foreign nationals who travel by land, air or sea for long or short trips to submit their health and travel information in the free app or the ArriveCAN website. before arriving in Canada, ”said Health Minister Jean -Yves Duclos said at a COVID-19 press conference on Friday. “It is mandatory.”
The health minister’s comments come after several Canadian citizens vaccinated we told them they had to home quarantine for 14 days after failing to register their trip using the government app.
Last month, the rules changed to allow fully vaccinated Canadians who return home within 72 hours to return without providing a negative PCR test. However, travelers are required to submit mandatory information including proof of vaccination, date of travel and quarantine plan in the ArriveCAN app before arriving in Canada.
“Foreign travelers who do not submit their information through ArriveCan may be refused entry to Canada,” said Duclos. “Canadians who do not submit their information through ArriveCan will not be eligible for exemptions and may face additional border delays and be subject to fines.
ArriveCAN was initially only mandatory for air travelers when the app launched in November 2020. Passengers were required to enter their information before boarding their return flight to Canada. ArriveCAN was used post-entry for those crossing the border by land and sea, during their period of quarantine or isolation.
It was not until February 22, 2021 that the use of the ArriveCAN application was mandatory for air and ground travelers. The requirement was announced nine months before the opening of the Canada-U.S. Land border to Canadian travelers.
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